Flange lubricator



A'ug. 9, 1932. R. HUBBARD FLANGE LUBRICATOR Filed Dec. 14, 1929 Patented Aug. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES ROWLAND HUBBARD, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA FLANGE LUBRIGATOR Application filed December 14, 1929. Serial No. 413,986.

This invention relates to wheel flange lubricators and more particularly to improvements in such devices as are employed for supplying lubricant to wheel flanges and the like. v

Among the principal objects of the present invention is to provide a lubricator which is not only simple, reliable and inexpensive in construction but which is also exceedingly eflicient and durable in use.

A further ob-ject of the invention is to provide a flange lubricator including a movable shoe or lubricant distributor which operates i either by gravity or spring pressure to autor niatically feed the lubricant upon the wearing surface of the flange of the wheel or other part to be lubricated.`

Still another object of the invention is to provide a lubricator for the purpose specified which is inherently operative to automatically control the flow of lubricant andso preclude the unnecessary throwing of oil upon surfaces other than that to be lubricated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flange lubricator wherein is incorporated a movable shoe for continuously and uninterruptedly delivering lubricant upon the flange so long as the latter moves or travels along its supporting track or surface.

Other objects of the invention and advantages resulting from the use thereof will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, yarrangement and relative location of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawing and as finally pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing, which Vj shows for purposes of illustration merely a preferred form of the invention Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a wheel flange to which a lubricator (shown in section) embodying the principles of the 4'5 present invention is shown applied;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing a modified construction of lubricator;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the lubricator structure shown in Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing and more particularly to Figure 1 it will be observed that a flange lubricator constructed in accord- 55 ance with and embodying the principles of the present invention has been operatively applied to the flanged wheel 10 of a railway vehicle, the wheel liange being designated by the reference numeral 11. 60

The lubricator, which is designated generally by 12, is supported in the operative position shown by means of a suitable supporting structure 13 carried upon the truck of Y, the vehicle. vThis supporting structure preferably includes a vertically extending arm or bar 14 upon which the lubricator may be vertically adjusted, the lubricator being secured in its properly adjusted position by means of i a set screw 15 or its equivalent. 70

As clearly appears in Figure 1 the lubricator proper comprises a box-like container or holder 16 within which is slidably disposed an oil distributing block or shoe 17 of iron or like material. It will be noted that the holder 16 is inclined with respect to the horizontal such that the open end 18 thereof lterminates just rear of the wheel flange and at a point below the horizontal plane of the axis of rotation of the wheel. The opposite end of the holder is preferably provided with a cover plate 19 which may or may not be hinged to the body of the holder 16 and which is adapted to be locked in position by means of one or more bolts 20.

The oil distributing block 17 is arranged to float freely within its holder 16. Due to angle of inclination of the holder and the action of gravity upon the block the latter assumes the position shown in Figure 1 wherein the lower end 2() thereof is constantly maintained in contact with the surface of the flange to be lubricated. In addition to being inclined with respect to the horizontal the holder 16, and consequently the block 17, is preferably disposed such that it forms an acute angle with the tread surface 21 of the wheel (see Figure 4). This enables the projecting end Yof the block 17 to seat itself in the angle rformed between said tread the ends thereof and is interiorly threaded, y

as at 25, for reception of a fitting 26 for supe plying lubricant to the block. Lubricant is supplied to the fitting 26 by way of a fleX- ible conduit 27 from a suitable container 28 carried in any desired manner upon the vehicle frame.

In order to permit uninterrupted movement of the oil distributing block 17 within its holder 16 the latter is provided in the upper surface thereof with an elongated slot or opening 29 through which the fitting 26 freely projects. It will be understood, of course, that this elongated slot provides a free path of movement for the fitting 26 which is secured to and moves together with the block 17.

Vhile I have shown in Figure l an arrangement wherein the block 17 is maintained in contact with the flange by its own weight and through the action of gravity, it will be understood that other eXpedients may be employed for effecting the same result. Figure 2 illustrates an arrangement wherein the block 17 is constantly maintained in Contact with the surface to be lubricated by spring pressure, a compression spring 3() being interposed between the rear end of the block 17 and the cover plate 19 for the holder.

In eachl case and irrespective of whether the oil distributing blocl is fed against the flange to be lubricated by gravity, spring' pressure or any other means, it will be understood that the bloclis fed continuously against the flange to compensate for the wearing action which takes place. as the tread surface of the flange moves or travels past the lubricating end of the block. Not only is the block thus maintained in constant bearing engagement with the flange surface to be lubricated, but there is insured a constant snug fit between the lubricating end of the block 17 and said flange surface. In consequence of this snug fit it has been found that so long as the wheel or other flanged-v moving element remains stationary there will i be no flow ofA lubricant through the ydischarge end of the oil distributing passage 22 in the movable block. In other words, the blocky 17 operates in itself asv a valve to control distribution thereof to the tread surface of the flange only during the time that the latter moves or travels past the oil discharging end of the block.

It will be understood, of course, that the lubricator described herein may be designed for both right and left flanged wheels of a vehicle and that the construction thereof may be varied from time to time without departing from the general principles or real spirit of the invention herein disclosed. It is accordingly intended to claim the invention broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is `1. In a flange lubricator, in combination, an oil-distributing block one end of which is adapted to engage the flange surface to be lubricated, a holder for supporting said block in free-floating engagement with said flange surface, said block being provided with an oil passage the discharge end of which terminates in the contacting end of the block and the inlet endY of which terminates in the upper surface of 'the block, a fitting secured to said inlet end of the oil passage and means in said holder for per mitting free movement of said fitting together with said block longitudinally of said holder. Y

2. In a flange lubricator, in combination, an oil-distributing shoe supported in vinclined position with respect to the plane of the flange surface to be lubricated, said shoe being provided within the body thereof with aV substantially L-shaped oil passage, one branch `of said passage extending longitudinally-of the shoe to provide a discharge end terminating in the flange contacting end of the shoe and the other branch of the passage being extended laterally of the shoe to provide an inlet in the upper surface thereof, a fitting secured to said inlet end of the oil passage for supplying lubricant therethrough and to said flange surface and a holder for slidably receiving said shoe, said holder being provided in the upper surface thereof with a longitudinally extending elongated slot or opening through which said fitting freely projects.

l In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature.

RowLANn HUBBARD. 

